KRIS CHESNEY says Saracens are preparing for a war' in tomorrow's EDF Energy Cup semi final with Ospreys.

The Magners League side and the whole of Wales are on the crest of a wave following the Principality's Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, a party Chesney and co are determined to gatecrash in front of a partisan Cardiff crowd.

Now the most experienced player in Premiership history with 194 games under his belt, the versatile back row had a hint of revenge in his voice when talking the contest up as an England versus Wales grudge match.

"It's another Wales versus England game and it's going to be a war," insisted the tough talking 34-year-old. "The Welsh are very passionate people and love to beat the English whether it's a club side or the national team.

"It will be full on. Ospreys are an extremely talented, physical side. We're going to be playing virtually the Wales team.

I'm sure there players had a few drinks at the weekend to celebrate the Grand Slam, but then most people have a drink at the weekend. People are naive if they think their players have not had their eye on the game against us."

Chesney has fond memories of the Millennium Stadium after helping the Barbarians overturn a 27-0 half time deficit to beat Wales on his first cap for the invitational side five years ago.

"I remember the roof being closed which was quite bizarre as when you were kicking the ball all you saw was this massive roof instead of the stars," he said, somewhat poetically.

And does he want the roof closed tomorrow? "Both sides are fantastically skilled and would benefit from having a dry surface to play on. So if it's pouring down I hope it's closed."

The powerhouse, who joined Saracens from Barking in 1995, believes a win tomorrow will put the Men in Black in buoyant mood ahead of their Heineken Cup semi final clash against the same opposition in a fortnight.

"It is a bit of a sparring match ahead of the game at our place. If we beat them tomorrow, which I hope we do it can work for or against you.

"To take a good result into the return match would be great but we would have to ensure we didn't become overconfident. If we do beat them they will also be out for revenge."

Chesney will be one of the elder statesmen on the pitch tomorrow but is immensely proud of the record number of Premiership games he has racked up.

"It's a brilliant feeling but 194 games makes you feel very old especially when there are guys like Don Barrell in the side who is not even in double figures yet," he added." But it is an honour to reach such a large number of games."

Chesney craves silverware for the club he loves and says it would be a disaster if they were not to win at least one trophy this season.

"We're still in the hunt in three competitions, which is pressure itself," he commented. "If we come away without anything at the end of the season it will be a huge embarrassment and disappointment to the club after doing so well."

3:24pm Friday 21st March 2008

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